"We're a buying club, not a selling club. And to think about Martinez or Muller for only a second... that's the only thing that bothers me a bit."

Despite Sammer’s comments, the reality remains that Javi Martinez – who has suffered a few injuries – has often been overlooked when fit for one of either Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago.

Martinez has only started five Bundesliga games this season, and with Sami Khedira sounded out as a possible transfer target this summer, it could mean a further lack of game time for the Spaniard.

Manchester United were former suitors when Sir Alex Ferguson sounded out the youngster 18 months ago, and David Moyes’ visit to the Emirates could have been a check-up on Martinez’s latest developments.

His inclusion at the Emirates seemed to be as a result of Schweinsteiger’s injury, and following Szczesny’s red card and a Bayern reshuffle, Martinez found himself dropping back to defence – with right-back Phllip Lahm deemed the more able in that central midfield role.

Manchester United’s necessity for a new midfielder and rumours regarding Javi Martinez’s instable Bayern future could be a case of putting two and two together and coming out with five, but stranger things have happened in football.

Tom Thorogood

I'm a 27 year old language teacher and writer based out in Mexico with a passion for football and swimming. I like to focus on the top European Leagues, especially La Liga, as well as the footballing development in Central and South America. My favourite teams include Derby County, Barcelona and Jagaures de Chiapas.